Hartley Boats Contender National Championship at Broadstairs SC - Overall

Contender Nationals at Broadstairs © Nick Champion / www.championmarinephotography.co.uk

Contender Nationals at Broadstairs © Nick Champion / www.championmarinephotography.co.uk

With the final day of The Contender Nationals came the relief of only two races after two days and six races in blistering winds. Overcast and murky with a forecast of light wind; the day began with lots of grumbling about aching muscles, trick knees and the possibility of an early dart home, unsurprising really following a delightful championship dinner that delivered classic British hangovers.

The Race Officer was having none of it, the wind was up, a little bit of tide, perfect, "Get those wet wetsuits back on" was the cry. Out on the water a brutal battle of wills was beginning between the leader and 2nd place namely Stuart Jones and Gary Langdown, in just about trapezing winds these two were messing about mid line on an incredibly starboard biased line. Stuart was able to get under Garys bow to ensure he had a crap start, to combat this Gary jumped the gun and took the rest of the fleet with him, as it fired Stuart and Gary must have been 5 boat length's over but a general recall meant they got away with this disgrace.

On the second start with slightly lighter wind and another starboard biased line all was well with James Spikesley getting out clear to the left however it seemed that the right was the place to be with Ben Hawkes once again showing pace with Gary and Stuart in behind. Gary as always managed to take out distance on the reaches and took the lead with Rob Smith doing the same to keep Stuart back in 3rd.

It was a similar tight affair in the second race of the day, this time Mark Watts from the left, Graham Wilcox up the middle and Ed Presley out on the right made the windward mark as leaders. As they quietly mooched offwind the breeze picked up to let them surf down to the leeward mark, the second beat was now properly trapezing weather and both Rob Smith and Stuart Jones changed gears the fastest to get into the front pack, these 5 seemed to be out in front until Ed Presley spilled it on the run due to unsequential pumping. On the last beat Stuart Jones's new found low and fast speed got him out front taking Rob Smith with him. Graeme Wilcox hung on to third with some bigger chaps lurking just behind.

Stuart Jones took the gun and with it the national Championship for the 2nd year in a row. Now last time the report was very unkind in inferring that he was a fluky pondy but now he has done it again in breeze and waves, I will have to concede that he may, sort of, almost know what he's doing.

The Silver fleet was wrapped up by Graeme Wilcox in 4th and Ben Hawkes cleared up an impressive event taking the Under 25s, Newcomer and Bronze fleet titles.

What a great Champs it had been! In no small part due to Broadstairs club membership who had let us take over the club for four days and camp out in the bar whilst running a flawless event. The class is looking very strong currently with lots of new boats being built and now a new builder can be added to the list of National Champion winners. Hartley boats came 1st and 2nd with another in the top ten, however no design is dominant with both wooden and epoxy Bonezzis featuring strongly and older Bob Hoares showing that hulls have long competitive lives with two in the top ten.

Next year we will be off to Porthpean one the classes favourite venues for a Nationals, get a boat and join us!

Overall Results:
If you finished in the top ten at the Contender nationals then enter your Gear Guide information here